Red velvet lovers, get ready to indulge in the ultimate treat: Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies. These soft, moist, and velvety cookies are topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting, making them the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, craving something sweet, or simply want to bake something that feels special, this recipe is a must-try. It captures the essence of a classic red velvet cake in a convenient cookie form—no need for complicated steps or excessive time. Let’s dive into how you can create these delicious cookies in your own kitchen.
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Why You Should Try Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
These cookies are everything you love about red velvet cake, packed into a delightful cookie shape. They have the perfect balance of chocolatey sweetness with a velvety, tender texture. The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy and sweet contrast that elevates the flavor to another level. Aside from being delicious, these cookies are also incredibly easy to make. You don’t need to be a baking expert to pull off a batch that looks and tastes like it came from your favorite bakery. Best of all, they’re far more affordable than purchasing them from Crumbl, and you can customize them to your liking.
Ingredients
To make these Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies, you’ll need a few simple ingredients, most of which are already in your pantry:
• Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps in achieving that perfect cookie texture.
• Light Brown Sugar: For a hint of caramel flavor.
• Large Egg: Binds the dough together and helps with texture.
• Vinegar: Brings out the red velvet flavor and enhances the texture.
• Red Gel Food Coloring: Gives the cookies their signature vibrant red color.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of your cookie dough.
• Natural Cocoa Powder: Adds a touch of chocolate flavor, characteristic of red velvet.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cookies maintain a soft, chewy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
• Unsalted Butter: Softened, for smooth frosting consistency.
• Cream Cheese: The key ingredient for that tangy frosting.
• Icing Sugar: Sweetens the frosting to perfection.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor to the frosting.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking to make substitutions, here are some alternatives to customize your Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies:
• Vegan Butter: Use plant-based butter if you’re looking for a dairy-free option.
• Almond Flour: For a gluten-free version, swap out all-purpose flour with almond flour.
• Coconut Sugar: If you want a refined sugar-free option, use coconut sugar in place of regular sugar for a lower glycemic index.
• Non-Dairy Cream Cheese: For a dairy-free frosting option, go for a non-dairy cream cheese alternative.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will take about 2–3 minutes of mixing.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring to the mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift in the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for 15–20 minutes until it becomes firmer, making it easier to handle.
- Shape the Dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out about ⅓ cup of dough and roll it into a ball. Lightly flatten each ball, leaving enough space between each cookie.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for 10–11 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: While the cookies are cooling, whisk together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add in the sifted icing sugar and vanilla extract, whisking until creamy and fluffy.
- Decorate: Once the cookies have cooled, pipe the cream cheese frosting onto each cookie in swirls. To add a fun touch, crush a small amount of the leftover cookie dough and sprinkle the crumbs over the frosting for added texture.
Tips & Tricks
To make your Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies perfect, keep these tips in mind:
• Weigh Your Ingredients: For the best results, weigh your flour and other dry ingredients rather than using measuring cups.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth dough and frosting.
• Test Bake: Always bake one cookie as a test before baking the entire batch. This helps you fine-tune the baking time to suit your preferences.
• Chill the Dough: If your dough becomes too sticky, chill it for 10–15 minutes to make it easier to work with.
• Don’t Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the cookie dough as it could affect the texture of the cookies.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be paired with other treats to create the perfect dessert spread:
• Serve with Ice Cream: For an indulgent treat, pair these cookies with vanilla or cream cheese ice cream.
• Top with White Chocolate: If you love extra sweetness, drizzle melted white chocolate over the cream cheese frosting for an added layer of flavor.
• Make a Red Velvet Cookie Sandwich: Use two cookies and a generous amount of frosting in between to make a delicious cookie sandwich.
• Storage Tips: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them for 3–5 days, but they may become slightly dry when chilled. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Health Benefits of Red Velvet
While Red Velvet is typically enjoyed as a sweet treat, there are some health benefits that come with the ingredients used in this recipe. The cream cheese frosting provides calcium, and the cocoa powder used in the dough contains antioxidants. Additionally, using a small amount of vinegar in the dough helps balance the sugar content, making these cookies a slightly more guilt-free indulgence.
With these easy steps and tips, you’ll be able to recreate the popular Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies right at home. They’re sure to be a hit with your family and friends, and they’ll disappear in no time!
Conclusion
Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are an absolute treat that brings the flavors of a red velvet cake into the form of a soft, chewy cookie. With their rich cocoa flavor, vibrant red color, and irresistible cream cheese frosting, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Not only are they easy to make, but they are also customizable to suit your dietary preferences. Whether you’re looking to make them gluten-free, dairy-free, or simply crave the homemade touch, this recipe offers the perfect foundation for creating a delicious batch of red velvet goodness. Enjoy them fresh from the oven or save them for later—these cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking rotation.
FAQs About Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
1. Can I use different food coloring for Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies?
Yes! While red gel food coloring is traditionally used for that vibrant red hue, you can experiment with other colors if you like. Gel food coloring works best for vivid colors, so if you’re using liquid food coloring, you may need to adjust the amount to achieve the desired effect. Keep in mind that the traditional red velvet color comes from the combination of food coloring and the cocoa powder.
2. Can I make Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make gluten-free Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to ensure your cookies have the right texture. You may also need to adjust the baking time slightly, so be sure to test one cookie first.
3. How should I store Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies?
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to store them for longer, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just remember that the cream cheese frosting may become firmer when chilled, so allow the cookies to come to room temperature before enjoying them for the best texture.
More Relevant Recipes
PrintCrumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are soft, chewy, and topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting. These cookies bring the rich flavor of red velvet cake into a delicious cookie form, perfect for any occasion. With a tender texture, chocolatey sweetness, and a tangy cream cheese finish, they are sure to become your new favorite treat.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (70g)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed (65g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoon red gel food color
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (163g)
- 2–3 tablespoon natural cocoa powder (start with 2 and add more if you want more chocolatey cookies)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (85g) for frosting
- 6 oz cream cheese, room temperature (170g) for frosting
- 1 cup icing sugar, sifted for frosting
- ½ tsp vanilla for frosting
Instructions
- Whisk together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vinegar, red gel food coloring, and vanilla extract to the mixture and whisk until combined.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined.
- Refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop out ⅓ cup of dough, roll into a ball, then flatten slightly and place on the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies.
- Bake for 10–11 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, whisk together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar and vanilla and whisk until creamy.
- Once the cookies have cooled, pipe the frosting in swirls on top of each cookie and decorate with crushed cookie crumbs.
Notes
- Test bake one cookie first to adjust the baking time to your preference.
- Use gel food coloring for the best red color payoff.
- Refrigerate the dough for easier handling if it becomes too sticky.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
